A crushing pressure settled on Ethan’s chest, making it hard to breathe. He immediately shot back, “Absolutely not!” The idea of having feelings for Isabella was unthinkable.
It was a ridiculous notion.
A woman who couldn't compare to Sophia in any aspect could never win his heart.
Relieved by his swift denial, Victoria let out a soft exhale. “Good. Just remember, Ethan, beneath Isabella’s innocent facade is a manipulative woman. She—”
Ethan cut the call abruptly, silencing his mother’s complaints with an impatient gesture. He knew if she discovered he’d spent ten million just to get access to Isabella’s hospital room, she would be furious.
Rubbing his temples to ease the building tension, Ethan summoned Benjamin to drive him home. During the ride, he noticed Benjamin stealing hesitant glances at him through the rearview mirror.
“Benjamin, if you have something to say, just say it,” Ethan said, closing his eyes to rest.
Benjamin took a measured breath, choosing his words carefully. “Mr. Blackwood, given Mrs. Blackwood’s accident and her current state, perhaps showing some genuine care might help. If you demonstrate real concern, she might be more inclined to forgive you.”
Ethan’s eyes snapped open, his gaze sharp as it locked onto Benjamin’s in the mirror. “Who said I want to reconcile with Isabella? We are getting a divorce!”
Benjamin’s expression tightened briefly before he schooled his features. “Understood, Mr. Blackwood. I spoke out of turn.”
A heavy silence filled the car, thickening the already tense atmosphere. Benjamin focused intently on the road, not daring to utter another word. The low hum of the engine was the only sound.
After about ten minutes, just as Benjamin assumed Ethan had dozed off, Ethan suddenly commanded, “Find out what Isabella likes.” Startled, Benjamin nearly swerved. “Excuse me?” he blurted out.
Ethan’s eyes opened slowly, his stare intense. “Is there a problem?”
“No, sir. I’ll look into it immediately,” Benjamin replied stiffly, refocusing on the road while internally questioning Ethan’s stubborn denial.
Meanwhile, in the hospital, Isabella looked at the bruise on Lucas’s lip, her voice soft with guilt. “I’m so sorry,” she murmured. “It’s my fault Ethan misunderstood you, and you got hurt because of me.”
Lucas wiped the trace of blood from his mouth and gave her a gentle, reassuring smile. “Don’t apologize for his actions. His mistakes are not your burden to carry.”
Isabella was stunned into silence by his words. For years, she had completely intertwined her identity with Ethan’s—she abandoned her dreams, managed their home, and constantly put herself in danger for his sake. Yet the harsh truth was Ethan seemed indifferent to her life and the life of their unborn child.
What did she truly mean to him? Was she just a disposable part of his life?
A sharp, lingering pain pierced her heart. She squeezed her eyes shut, forcing the bitterness down. This time, she wouldn't let it consume her. This time, she wouldn't cling to someone who treated her as expendable.
Lucas stood and walked to the IV stand, adjusting the nearly empty infusion bag. The soft, rhythmic drip of the liquid was the only sound in the quiet room.
After a moment, he spoke, his voice calm and steady. “You’ve given enough for him, Isabella. It’s time to do something for yourself.”
Isabella’s eyes dimmed with resignation. “I’m going to divorce him,” she confessed.
She released a deep sigh, her brow furrowed with worry. “But there’s a complication. My grandmother urgently needs funds for her medical treatment, and I need a profitable project to cover the costs. If I make too big of a scene with Ethan, he could make things very difficult for me.”